DAST stands for Dynamic Application Security Testing, a black-box security testing method that identifies vulnerabilities in running applications by simulating real-world attacks from the outside. Unlike static analysis, DAST does not require access to source code, allowing it to detect runtime flaws, configuration errors, and issues like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and authentication bypasses that only appear during execution.

Key characteristics and benefits include:

• Outside-in approach: DAST mimics how malicious actors attack applications, testing the system as a "black box" without internal code visibility.

• Automation and Integration: It is typically automated and integrated into CI/CD pipelines within DevSecOps workflows to provide continuous security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.

• Lower false positives: Because it tests actual application behavior, DAST often produces fewer false positives compared to other testing methods, though it may lack visibility into the specific code causing the issue.

Common DAST tools include OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, Nessus, and Acunetix. While DAST is highly effective for finding operational vulnerabilities, it is often used in conjunction with SAST (Static Application Security Testing) to ensure comprehensive coverage, as DAST alone cannot provide insight into the specific code modules responsible for vulnerabilities.